Transport for London (TfL) has successfully completed trials of intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology fitted to buses, proving that the system can be used to control speeds on the capital’s bus network.
This comes after the Mayor of London announced a bus safety standard for the capital last month that will require all new buses to have ISA technology fitted from 2017.
The trials tested the technology for the first time in the UK on two bus routes, which included a variety of road environments and differing speed limits. All buses fitted with ISA remained within the speed limit 97-99% of the time. TfL said the rare incidents of excess speeds were seen on downhill sections of road.
It added that the technology was particularly effective when travelling through 20MPH zones – which are being widely introduced and cover around a quarter of London’s roads.
Deputy Mayor for Transport Isabel Dedring said: “We’re determined to continually advance safety on our bus network and that’s why last month the Mayor launched a world leading programme specially designed to drive forward major improvements.
“The use of this cutting edge technology is just one example of how we are harnessing the latest technology to reduce the number of fatal and serious injuries on London’s roads.”
TfL Managing Director of Surface Transport Leon Daniels said: “These trials have proven that speed limiting technology can contribute to safer roads and streets. We’ll now work with manufacturers so that all buses coming off the production line can be fitted with the technology from next year.”
London Co-ordinator for the ‘20’s Plenty for Us’ campaign Jeremy Leach commented: “Limiting the speed of buses, and therefore the vehicles that are travelling around them, particularly on all the roads where the boroughs have brought in 20MPH limits, will lead to fewer and less serious casualties.”
Original source: ITS UK Review
Photo: Transport for London
